Post navigation

Beating Holiday Stress

Many people would say that the holiday season brings with it just as much stress as it does joy, leaving them unable to really enjoy themselves. If you find yourself agreeing with this, read on for some great tips on how to beat that dreaded holiday stress.

Don’t Over-ScheduleYou may feel obliged to accept just about every invitation that comes your direction during the holiday season, but over-scheduling is pretty much a guaranteed way to bring on huge amounts of holiday stress. Learning how to say no may seem simple, but it is something that can sometimes take quite a bit of work. However, once you do say no, this will go a long way in reducing the amount of seasonal stress that you experience, as your calendar will not be packed with too many obligations, leaving you with plenty of time for yourself.

Think Before You SpendThe financial pressure that often comes with the holiday season is enough to cause stress to even the most laid back person, but it does not need to be this way. Before you begin spending for the holidays, set yourself a realistic budget that will not leave you dealing with excessive debts in the new year, and make sure that you stick to it. When it comes to gifts, do not forget that non-material presents can often be the most meaningful, from personalized poems to home videos.

Take a BreakWhen everything starts to seem slightly overwhelming, this is the time to step back and take a short break for 15 minutes or so. Heading outside for some fresh air will do you some good in multiple ways, from the sunlight stimulating the production of serotonin within the body, otherwise known as the feel good hormone, to the motion of walking having a tranquilizing effect on the brain. Once you return to the stressful situation, you will feel much more refreshed and better capable of dealing with it.

Don’t Abandon Healthy HabitsAfter striving all year to be as healthy as possible, the thought of overindulging during the holiday season can often be quite stressful, as you become fully aware of the guilt that you will soon be facing. To avoid over-eating when it comes to unhealthy snacks at holiday parties, have something healthy to eat before leaving the house, so that you will not be as hungry when you arrive. You can also make your own kitchen as healthy and supportive as possible, by doing everything from removing any sugar-filled treats, which you know you will be eating plenty of when out, to keeping your home alcohol-free and only drinking when you are out socializing, as excessive alcohol is definitely not good for your health.

The holiday season is supposed to be a joyful time, with peace and happiness being promoted. However, the only way that you can really enjoy all that the holidays truly stand for is by ensuring that you are as stress-free as possible, so keep these methods in mind whenever you start to feel overwhelmed.